Synthi VCS3 Poly MIDI-CV

The Poly MIDI-CV interface is a custom designed multi-channel MIDI-CV module for use with a VCS3 Mk2. It is based around Marc Bareille’s fantastic multi-channel PIC micro controller based MIDI-CV converter called the ‘MCV876’.

The Poly MIDI-CV interface offers three channels of MIDI generated CV and four MIDI gates.

The units come with the latest firmware programmed into the onboard micro controller (PIC182320). It supports both mono and polyphonic play modes. Marc has created a simple Windows software interface that allows the interface to be configured in different 'play modes' and thus offer different functionalities, all via MIDI SysEx. In addition to this, custom playmode 'preset' SysEx files are available which can place the interface into different playmodes in a live situation via MIDI upload. This avoids the need to use the Windows configuration software.

PlayModes

Control voltages CV1 to CV3 is relevant for the VCS3 Poly MIDI-CV. CV1 to CV4 are available for the four channel Synthi VCS3 Quad MIDI-CV Interface seen elsewhere on this website.

CV1/Gate1 assigned to NoteOn/Off messages

CV2/CV3/CV4 are assignable to controllers, velocity or PitchBend

Gates2/3/4 are assignable to controllers

One channel recognition

CV1/Gate1 and CV2/Gate2 are on channel N to CV1 assignable to MIDI notes

CV3/Gate3 and CV4/Gate4 are on channel N+1 to CV4 assignable to MIDI notes

CV1 to CV4 and Gate 1 to 4 are respectively on channels N to N+4

CVs or gates can be assigned to MIDI notes or controllers independently

CV1/Gate1 and CV2/Gate2 are assigned to Note On/Off messages

CV3 and CV4 are assignable to controllers, velocity or pitch bend

PIC18F2320 only

CV1 to CV4 and Gate1 to 4 are assigned to NoteOn/Off message

PIC18F2320 only

The interface has envelope shaper (ES) trigger assignable to either KS trigger or any of the four gates (Gate1 to Gate4) via a front panel rotary switch. How many of the four gates are available depends on the mode used. For example, in Poly2 mode, only 2 gates are available (Gate1 and Gate2). In Poly4 mode or Controller mode all four gates are available to trigger the ES.

There are three front panel level pots for CV1 to CV3. Also there are three toggle switches that can flip the scaling between 0.32V/octave (standard Synthi oscillator scaling) or 1V/octave when pots are set to max level (10). The 1V/octave option is useful if a CV channel is being used as a modulation source rather than give pitch control of a Synthi oscillator pitch.

Toggle switches allow independent switching of DK control or MIDI-CV control of each of the three independent CV input channels of the VCS3 matrix (Input Ch 1, Input Ch 2 and row 16 of the matrix).

As an example of its use, three of the four channels are being used to inject CV1 to CV3 into the matrix (Input Ch 1, Input Ch2 and row16) and the fourth channel used to offer novel triggering modes of the ES.

The unit derives its power from the VCS3 and is about 100mA mainly from the +12V side of the power rail. The unit will of course work with the Synthi AKS but we offer a special version for these in a textured black plastic trapezoidal case to match the Synthi AKS styling (see elsewhere on this site for more details).